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Question about Tone Controls + Equalizers

So I wanted to get opinions on Tone Controls.

I listen to all my music including LP's with Tone Controls defeated.

Why do I do that, you say? Because when I started on this journey I had the impression in my mind that in order to be an Audiophile, you have to listen to all music in it's purest form otherwise you are degrading the sound (I know, a very novice and naive mentality). 

So my first questions, do you all listen to LP's with tone controls on or off (if you have the capability in your system)?

My second question is about equalizers and in particular the Schiit Loki. If you have Tone Controls in your system, is adding a equalizer or tone control system useless or does it interfere whit your built in Tone Controls? Would you have defeat the Tone Controls on your own system in order to use the Loki or could they work with each other? I am not sure.

Do you all think a device like the Loki could possibly help fine tune your system sound? Is anyone using it in their own rig with LP playback?

That is what I would use it for, LP Playback, if I ever got the Loki or anything similar.

Thanks
128x128jay73
audiorusty
287 posts
 
Tone controls are just another tool in the arsenal that is available to be used if you so desire.

You could use the built in tone controls of your amp and the Loki at the same time if you want to, but assuming that the built in tone controls are just a bass and treble adjustment and the Loki being only 4 bands you probably will not see much benefit in doing so.

If you were using a 1/3 octave e.q. to tune your system to your room and then use the Loki or your built in tone controls to adjust for variations in recordings you should see a more dramatic difference.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,465 posts
 
Some streamers have equalization and other signal processing capabilities built in.   An example is Ipeng streamer for the venerable Squeeze system.   I'm sure there are others.
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
503 posts
 
In my 80’s rec room systems I have a McInosh 31V pre amp and SoundCraftsman SP-4001 EQ/pre amp.  I use them both on occasion with my R2R and turntable.

I tried a Loki with my listening room system but found I didn’t really need it or like for that matter.  One of these days I’ll get around to selling it.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,944 posts
 
@stereo5 Fair enough. McIntosh is the logical upgrade path for folks who’ve had receivers with lots of buttons and tone controls but can't let them go.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,480 posts
 
noromance,

It's obvious of your dislike of McIntosh so I won't discuss any further.

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